Fibre optics

Nature of science:

Applied science: Advances in communication links using fibre optics have led to a global network of optical fibres that has transformed global communications by voice, video and data. (1.2)

• Structure of optic fibres
• Step-index fibres and graded-index fibres
• Total internal reflection and critical angle
• Waveguide and material dispersion in optic fibres
• Attenuation and the decibel (dB) scale

Applications and skills:

• Solving problems involving total internal reflection and critical angle in the context of fibre optics
• Describing how waveguide and material dispersion can lead to attenuation and how this can be accounted for
• Solving problems involving attenuation
• Describing the advantages of fibre optics over twisted pair and coaxial cables

• The under-sea optic fibres are a vital part of the communication between continents

Utilization:

• Will a communication limit be reached as we cannot move information faster than the speed of light?

Aims:

• Aim 1: this is a global technology that embraces and drives increases in communication speeds
• Aim 9: the dispersion effects illustrate the inherent limitations that can be part of a technology

• Quantitative descriptions of attenuation are required and include attenuation per unit length
• The term waveguide dispersion will be used in examinations. Waveguide dispersion is sometimes known as modal dispersion.

Data booklet reference: